Predicting pediatric esophageal wall thickness: An EUS study

EUS has been shown in two small series to be capable of documenting increases in the total esophageal wall thickness (TWT) in children and adults with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). To apply EUS-derived TWT in clinical situations or in scientific investigations in pediatric EoE, measurements of esophageal TWT in children of differing ages and heights are required.

Thirty patients (18M: 12F, 7 months to 20 years and 10 months) with a history of esophageal symptoms, but no endoscopic or histologic criteria of EoE were studied using a through the scope 20 MHZ Olympus Ultrasound miniprobe UM-3R (Olympus America, Center Valley Pa 18034) through a GIF Q180 or 160 (Olympus) standard pediatric upper endoscope. The mucosa, the mucosa plus submucosa, and the TWT were measured in the mid- and distal esophagus immediately before taking diagnostic biopsies.

Measurements from both sites showed a statistically significant increase in TWT as a function of age (P < 0.001) and height (P < 0.001), as did the individual layers. The width of the mucosa and the submucosa were equivalent and together, they contributed more than half of the entire TWT. There were no significant differences between the means of the mid- and distal esophageal measurements. A multiple regression equation that can predict TWT based on age, with 95% confidence limits, is presented.

EUS has demonstrated that esophageal TWT in a cohort of control children correlates with height and with age and has provided insights into the organization of the esophageal wall. Esophageal TWT values obtained by EUS can now be interpreted to recognize esophageal wall thickening throughout childhood.